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Game Capsule
Launch

Console encyclopedia

Multiple manufacturers · —

Arcade

Arcade Emulator Online

Arcade

A category of coin-operated game systems, not one console with a single manufacturer, launch date or specification.[1]

Game CapsulePlanned
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Arcade hardware artwork
Arcade · Multiple manufacturers
First launch
—
Manufacturer
Multiple manufacturers
Category
Arcade
Media
Dedicated boards, cartridges and optical media
01

The console story

Early commercial video arcades included Computer Space in 1971 and Pong in 1972. Dedicated cabinets evolved into reusable boards and cartridge platforms such as Neo Geo MVS.[1]

Controls could be tailored to a game: joysticks, steering wheels, light guns or dance platforms. Later boards introduced increasingly capable 3D graphics and network features.[1]

02

A history in milestones

  1. 1971
    Computer Space

    Early commercial video arcade cabinet.[2]

  2. 1972
    Pong

    Atari’s electronic table-tennis game.[3]

  3. 1978
    Space Invaders

    Taito’s fixed-screen shooter.[4]

  4. 1991
    Street Fighter II

    Capcom’s competitive fighting game.[5]

03

Technical profile

Processor
Varies by arcade board[2]
Memory
Varies by arcade board[2]
Display & graphics
From discrete logic to programmable 3D boards[2]
Media
Dedicated boards, cartridges and optical media[2]
Audio
Varies by arcade board[2]
Power
Cabinet power supply[1]
Input & connectivity
Game-specific control panels and board interfaces[2]
05

Why it mattered

Games built for public spaces

Short sessions, visible scores and distinctive cabinets shaped the experience. Each arcade board needs its own hardware and compatibility profile.[1]

06

Defining games

Years refer to the earliest release of the named version. Games are historical references; GameCapsule does not distribute them.

01

Pong

An early commercial video arcade game.[3]

02

Space Invaders

Fixed-screen shooting with rows of approaching enemies.[4]

03

Street Fighter II

Competitive fighting built around distinct playable characters.[5]

08

Accessories & ecosystem

Game-specific controls
Wheels, light guns and dance platforms vary by cabinet.[1]
Neo Geo MVS
An example of a cartridge-based multi-game arcade platform.[1]
09

System family

Related systems in the collection. These links do not imply technical compatibility.

11

GameCapsule support

Planned

This system is represented in the catalog. Its emulator, file import and gameplay are not available today. There is no announced release date.

Expand beyond Game Boy while preserving a coherent collection. Other consoles remain catalog-only.

Bring your own compatible game files. Game Capsule does not include commercial games.

Explore the roadmap

Sources & further reading

  1. Historical overview and model chronology ↗

    Historical narrative, regional release precision, model chronology, commercial context and accessories

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  2. Computer History Museum · graphics and games timeline ↗

    Processor, memory, graphics, audio and hardware interfaces

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  3. Pong · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  4. Space Invaders · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30
  5. Street Fighter II · release history ↗

    Named game/version release year; descriptive context

    Reviewed 2026-09-30